Preparing an Emergency Food Supply

Regardless of the disaster, whether it be flash floods, tropical storms, or blizzards, it is crucial to be well-prepared. It is advised to assemble a disaster supply kit to store emergency essentials.

Putting Together a Disaster Supply Kit

What should be included in a disaster supply kit?

• Medical supplies and first aid manual*
• Hygiene supplies
• Portable radio and extra batteries**
• Flashlights and lanterns with extra batteries**
• Camping cookstove and fuel
• Sterno cans
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Fire Extinguisher**
• Blankets and extra clothing
• Shovel and other useful tools
• Money in a waterproof container
• Infant and small children’s needs (if appropriate)*
• Can opener, utensils, cookware

Make regular checks.

During a crisis, it is crucial that you prioritize maintaining your strength, which can be achieved by consuming a healthy diet. Here are some vital nutrition tips to assist you in doing so.

• Plan menus to include as much variety as possible.
• Eat at least one well-balanced meal each day.
• Drink enough liquid to enable your body to function properly (two quarts a day).
• Take in enough calories to enable you to do any necessary work.
• Include vitamin, mineral and protein supplements in your stockpile to assure adequate nutrition.

Using common sense, think about what foods you can utilize and how you can cook them when determining what items to keep in stock. It would be a costly error to store foods that are challenging to prepare and unlikely to be consumed.

Storing a combination of bulk staples, canned goods, and dehydrated foods is one strategy for long-term food preservation.

Bulk Staples

Bulk quantities of wheat, corn, beans, and salt can be obtained at a low cost and have an almost endless shelf life. In case of a need, one could sustain themselves for many years by consuming small daily portions of these essential items. The following serving sizes are recommended for each adult annually:

Stocking Foods for Infants

It is necessary to give special consideration to ensuring an adequate supply of food for infants, with powdered formula being the most cost-effective option. Alternatively, commercially canned liquid formula concentrate and ready-to-feed formula can also be stored. The quantity required will differ based on the age of the infant. It is crucial to not use infant formula beyond its expiration date, as indicated on the packaging. Moreover, parents should make arrangements to have different types of infant cereals and baby foods readily available, with the quantity needed varying depending on the age of the infant.

Other Foods to Supplement Your Bulk Staples

Including commercially packed air-dried or freeze-dried foods, canned meats, packaged mixes, supermarket goods, nutritious and long-lasting rice and varieties of beans, ready-to-eat cereals, pasta mixes, rice mixes, dried fruits, etc., as well as convenient packaged mixes that only require water and have short cooking times, can supplement bulk staples with a limited menu and provide variety to your menus. However, it is important to note that incorporating more of these products will increase the cost of your stockpile.

Here is a simple method for storing food in the long run.

1. Buy a supply of the bulk staples listed previously.
2. Build up your everyday stock of canned goods until you have a two-week to one-month surplus. Rotate it periodically to maintain a supply of common foods that will not require special preparation, water or cooking.
3. From a sporting or camping equipment store, buy commercially packaged, freeze-dried or air-dried foods. Although costly, this is an excellent form of stored meat, so buy accordingly. (Canned meats are also options.) Another option is to purchase dry, packaged mixes from the supermarket.

It is recommended to have some of the items mentioned as examples below in stock. The suggested amounts indicate the quantity needed for an adult for one year.

To ensure optimal quality and durability, it is recommended to store dry ingredients or supplies in clean, dry, and dark areas, away from any moisture source. Avoiding extreme fluctuations in temperature and exposure to light will contribute to preserving the quality of foods for a longer duration.

Grains

When purchasing bulk wheat, it is advisable to choose either dark hard winter or dark hard spring wheat. The wheat should be of at least #2 grade and have a protein content ranging from 12 to 15%, with a moisture content below 10%. If the wheat is not stored in nitrogen-packed cans, it can be stored in sturdy 5-gallon food-grade plastic buckets or containers with secure lids. If the wheat has not been treated to prevent insect infestation, it can be treated during storage by placing a quarter pound of dry ice per 5-gallon container at the bottom and then filling it with wheat. After covering the wheat with the lid (loosely), leave it for five or six hours before tightening the lid to ensure an airtight seal. Other grains that can be considered for storage include rye, rice, oats, triticale, barley, and millet. Pasta products also fulfill the grain requirement of a diet. Milled rice has a longer shelf life compared to brown rice. Grinding may be necessary for many of these grains before use. Hand-cranked grain mills are available in some health food stores or they can provide information on where to find one. It is important to choose a mill that is capable of grinding corn. If a mill is not available, grain can be ground by filling a large can with whole grain, leaving it one inch deep, placing the can on the ground between your feet, and pounding the grain with a hard metal object like a pipe.

Non-fat Dry Milk/Dairy Products

To ensure optimum quality, dry milk should be stored in a tightly sealed, airtight container. It can be stored at a temperature of 70oF for a period of 12 to 24 months. If purchased in cans packed with nitrogen, the recommended storage time for best quality is 24 months. Additional dairy products suitable for long-term storage may include canned evaporated milk, pasteurized cheese spreads, and powdered cheese.

Other Foods or Ingredients

To ensure the quality of iodized salt, it is advised to choose and keep it in its original packaging. Dried beans, peas, lentils, etc. are affordable substitutes for meat and can be conveniently stored in properly sealed glass or plastic containers. Generally, the highest quality options can be found among those bought from the grocery shelf.

Carefully open food boxes or cans to ensure they can be tightly sealed after each use. Place cookies and crackers in plastic bags and store them in airtight containers. Transfer opened packages of sugar, dried fruits, and nuts into screw-top jars or airtight containers to prevent pests from reaching them. Prior to consumption, check all food containers for signs of spoilage. Canned foods from commercial sources are generally safe for consumption after extensive storage unless they are bulging, leaking, or heavily rusted. However, long-term storage will diminish their quality, resulting in potential changes in taste, appearance, and texture, along with diminished nutritional value. For optimal quality, it is advised to consume them within a year. If stored for longer durations, make sure to rotate canned goods at least every two to four years.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

In order to address potential diet deficiencies during emergencies, families might consider storing 365 multi-vitamin/mineral tablets for each individual. It is crucial to carefully check the expiration dates mentioned on the packages.

Shelf Life of Foods for Storage (Unopened)

To guarantee optimal quality of common emergency foods, it is recommended to follow these general guidelines for rotating the products.

• Use within six months:< >Powdered milk (boxed)Dried fruit (in metal container)Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container)PotatoesUse within one year:< >Canned condensed meat and vegetable soupsCanned fruits, fruit juices and vegetablesReady-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers)Peanut butterJellyHard candy, chocolate bars and canned nutsMay be stored indefinitely* (in proper containers and conditions):
  • Wheat
  • Vegetable oils
  • Corn
  • Baking powder
  • Soybeans
  • Instant coffee, tea
  • Cocoa
  • Salt
  • Noncarbonated soft drinks
  • White rice
  • Bouillon products
  • Dry pasta
  • Vitamin C
  • Powdered milk (in nitrogen-packed cans)

Approximately two to three years

Start by using perishable food and items from the refrigerator. Afterwards, utilize the foods stored in the freezer. In order to minimize the frequency of opening the freezer door, it is advisable to list the contents of the freezer on the door. In a freezer that is properly filled and insulated, food items typically still retain ice crystals at their centers. Only consume these foods if they still have ice crystals or if the freezer temperature has remained at or below 40 degrees F. To retain cold temperature, it is helpful to cover the freezer with blankets, ensuring that the air vent is not obstructed by securing the blankets back. Lastly, proceed to utilize non-perishable foods and staples.

The 7 Best Emergency Food Supply Kits of 2023

Looking for a simpler way to prepare for emergencies? Food supply kits are your best bet!

Listed below are the top emergency food supply kits of 2023 to ensure that in the event of an unexpected situation, you, your family, and potentially your beloved neighbors remain adequately nourished. These kits offer a range of options, including vegetarian, vegan, and authentic gluten-free choices, catering to the dietary preferences of everyone.

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